JP2000329506A - Capacitance-type nipping detecting sensor structure to be used for closing/opening drive control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a capacitance-type nipping detecting sensor structure to be used for an opening/closing drive control device capable of highly accurately avoiding the nipping of an object that might occur with the closing movement of an opening/closing member in a simple inexpensive constitution without depending on the state of the object side. SOLUTION: A band-shaped grounding electrode 5 and detecting electrode 7 of which peripheries are each covered with a coating material 3 provided with both flexibility and electric insulation are each provided in such a way as to be opposing to each other in locational relationship in the inner surfaces of a hollow external member 1 constituted of a flexible material while maintaining a hollow state by separating the electrodes 5 and 7 at a predetermined interval.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an opening / closing drive control device configured to perform an opening / closing operation of an opening / closing member such as a window glass of a vehicle by using a driving means such as a motor for driving the opening / closing member. In particular, according to the pinch detection sensor used in, the pinch of an object which may be caused by the closing operation of the opening / closing member is avoided with a simple and inexpensive configuration with high accuracy without being affected by the state of the object. The present invention relates to an electrostatic capacitance type pinch detection sensor structure used for an opening / closing drive control device to be obtained.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an opening / closing drive control device configured to perform an opening / closing operation of an opening / closing member such as a glass window of a vehicle or a sunroof glass using a driving means such as a motor is generally known.

As an example of this type of opening / closing drive control device,
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-68,118 discloses a power window device configured to be able to avoid pinching of an object that may occur with the closing operation of the opening / closing member.

[0004] This power window device comprises a sensor unit of a capacitance type proximity switch provided at an upper end of a door frame;
A limit switch that is provided at a position before the proximity switch detects the windowpane and operates as the windowpane rises, and detects the proximity switch when the windowpane is moving up and the limit switch is not operating. The window glass is stopped or lowered by the output, and the function of the proximity switch is stopped when the window glass is raised and the limit switch is operated.

According to the technique described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication, when an object such as a finger is present near a door frame provided with a proximity switch sensor unit, the presence of the object is determined by the proximity switch sensor. By detecting the part and automatically stopping or lowering the window glass, it is possible to avoid pinching of an object that may occur with the closing operation of the opening / closing member.

[0006]

However, in the above-described conventional opening / closing drive control device, an object which may be caused by the closing operation of the opening / closing member is pinched by using a capacitance type proximity switch. As a result of the need to separately provide the above-described limit switch because of the detection, the increase in cost due to the complexity of the circuit configuration may be caused, but the pinch detection accuracy may not be maintained at a high level. There were inherent issues to be addressed.

Here, the reason why it is necessary to separately provide a limit switch when detecting the entrapment of an object using a capacitance type proximity switch in the above-described prior art will be described. Capacitive proximity switches can be used even when there is no nearby object.
Due to the constant detection of stray capacitance according to the surrounding atmosphere such as the ground or door frame, even if the user tries to close the window glass without pinching the object, the proximity of the window glass is erroneously regarded as an object. This is to prevent a stop or a descent in the middle of the window glass due to the above.

On the other hand, the reason why the pinch detection accuracy may not be maintained at a high level is described. The capacitance type proximity switch used in the prior art detects the change in capacitance to detect the proximity of an object. Since the detection configuration is adopted, for example, if the occupant's finger wearing clothes or the like is caught between the door frame and the window glass, this trapping may not be detected. Could not be maintained.

Therefore, a new technique has been developed which can avoid pinching of an object which may be caused by the closing operation of the opening / closing member with a simple and inexpensive configuration and with high accuracy without depending on the state of the object. It has been anticipated among concerned parties.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and a simple and inexpensive configuration depends on the state of the object side to pinch an object that may be caused by the closing operation of the opening / closing member. It is an object of the present invention to provide a capacitance-type pinch detection sensor structure used in an opening / closing drive control device which can be avoided with high accuracy without any problem.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an opening / closing device configured to perform an opening / closing operation of an opening / closing member using driving means for driving the opening / closing member. A capacitance type sandwiching detection sensor used in a drive control device, wherein a coating material having both flexibility and electrical insulation is provided around an inner surface of a hollow exterior member made of a flexible material. Each of the strip-shaped ground electrodes and the detection electrodes covered with is provided so as to have a positional relationship facing each other while maintaining a hollow state by separating the electrodes from each other by a predetermined distance. And

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to avoid, with a simple and inexpensive configuration, the pinching of an object which may occur with the closing operation of the opening / closing member with high accuracy without depending on the state of the object. In addition to the above, when the object is pinched, the relative distance between the two electrodes is easily approached without any physical obstacle, even when a slight external pressing force is applied. As a result of generating a relatively large change in the capacitance and catching the change in the capacitance and deeming that the pinching of the object has occurred, the responsiveness of the detection of the pinching of the object can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electrostatic capacitance type pinch detection sensor structure according to the first aspect, wherein both electrodes are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the exterior member with the support member interposed therebetween. The gist is that it is configured to be attachable while maintaining a predetermined positional relationship across.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the two electrodes can be mounted on the exterior member with the support member interposed therebetween while maintaining a predetermined positional relationship over the longitudinal direction.
In addition to being able to further improve the workability of mounting both electrodes, both electrodes are freely movable in the longitudinal direction, and can easily absorb the difference in inner and outer diameters at the bent portions, and therefore, Also from this point, it can be said that the workability of attaching both electrodes can be further improved.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the electrostatic capacitance type pinch detection sensor structure according to claim 1, wherein instead of using a supporting member which is a separate member from the exterior member,
On the inner side wall of the exterior member, the gripping structure portion of the two electrodes is integrally formed, and with respect to the exterior member, the electrodes are maintained in a predetermined positional relationship over the longitudinal direction with the gripping structure portion interposed. The gist of the invention is that it is configured to be attachable.

According to the third aspect of the invention, as in the case of the second aspect, the workability of mounting both electrodes can be further improved, and also, the number of assembling steps associated with the reduction in the number of members is reduced, and A cost reduction effect can be expected.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a capacitance type entrapment detection device used in an opening / closing drive control device configured to perform an opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member by using a driving means for driving the opening / closing member. In the sensor, a surface of the hollow exterior member made of a material having both flexibility and electrical insulation, a surface receiving external pressing force and a surface facing the external pressing force, and a strip-shaped ground electrode and a detection electrode, respectively. The point is that the two electrodes are separated from each other by a predetermined distance so as to be maintained in a hollow state, and are encapsulated so as to have a positional relationship facing each other, and are integrally molded.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to avoid, with a simple and inexpensive structure, a highly accurate structure without depending on the state of the object side, which is likely to be caused by the closing operation of the opening / closing member. In addition to the above, when the object is pinched, the relative distance between the two electrodes is easily approached without any physical obstacle, even when a slight external pressing force is applied. As a result of generating a relatively large change in the capacitance and catching the change in the capacitance and deeming that the pinching of the object has occurred, the responsiveness of the detection of the pinching of the object can be improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the capacitance type pinch detection sensor structure according to the fourth aspect, wherein the exterior member is configured to be dividable into a plurality of portions. In assembling the parts, the point is to engage and mount the plurality of parts.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the exterior member is configured to be dividable into a plurality of portions, and when assembling the plurality of portions, it is achieved by engaging and mounting the plurality of portions. Is done.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the capacitance type sandwich detection sensor structure according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the exterior member includes each of the ground electrode and the detection electrode. Is to be adhered along the door frame of the vehicle.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the exterior member including each of the ground electrode and the detection electrode is adhered along the door frame of the vehicle.

Further, the invention according to claim 7 is the exterior member comprising the capacitance type sandwich detection sensor structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and including each of the ground electrode and the detection electrode. Means that the vehicle is a glass run.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a glass run of a vehicle is used as the exterior member including each of the ground electrode and the detection electrode.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is the capacitance type sandwich detection sensor structure according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the exterior member includes each of the ground electrode and the detection electrode. Is a gist of a weatherstrip of a vehicle.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a weatherstrip of a vehicle is used as the exterior member including each of the ground electrode and the detection electrode.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A plurality of embodiments of a capacitance type pinch detection sensor structure used in an opening / closing drive control device according to the present invention will be described below. Along the window frame of
The opening / closing operation of the windowpane with respect to the window frame is performed using driving means such as a motor for driving the windowpane, and the opening / closing operation is performed such that the driving of the windowpane is stopped when an object is detected as being caught. An example of the drive control device will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description of a plurality of embodiments, common functional members will be denoted by common reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted in some cases.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are views for explaining a basic structure of a capacitance type pinch detection sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a first modified example belonging to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a second modified example belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining a third modification belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a further modified example of the third modified example belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the third to fourth modified examples belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b) are diagrams for explaining a modified example of FIG.
FIGS. 11 and 12 are provided for explaining the operation of a fourth modification belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 11 and 12 are used for describing further modifications of the fourth modification belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 13A and 13B show the basic structure of a capacitance type pinch detection sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a fifth modification example belonging to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams illustrating an assembling process according to a fifth modification belonging to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
FIG. 16B is a diagram for describing a sixth modified example belonging to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 16A and 16B are seventh modified examples belonging to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure for the explanation of
FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram of an opening / closing drive control device using a pinch detection sensor having a characteristic structure according to the present invention. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation of a main part in the opening / closing drive control device. 19 to 21
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing, in chronological order, the positional relationship between the window frame, the weather strip including the electrodes, and the window glass. FIG. 22 is a diagram for describing the arrangement position of the pinch detection sensor with respect to the window frame, and FIGS. FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing a mounting mode of a pinch detection sensor on a vehicle. FIG. 26 is a functional block diagram showing a modification of an opening / closing drive control device using a pinch detection sensor having a characteristic structure according to the present invention. It is.

Prior to the description of the structure of the capacitance-type sandwich detection sensor according to the present invention, first, as shown in FIGS. 19 to 22, a door frame 31 serving as a ground electrode and a capacitance serving as a detection electrode An outline of an opening / closing drive control device employing a pinch detection sensor configured to detect a pinch of an object by detecting a change in the capacitance between the detection line 13 and the change in the relative positional relationship between the two will be described. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the opening / closing drive control device 11 includes a capacitance detection line 13, an oscillation circuit 15, a low-pass filter (hereinafter, referred to as “LPF”) 17, a detection circuit 19, and an amplification circuit 21. , A control microcomputer 23, and a motor drive circuit 25 for controlling the drive of the motor 27.

The capacitance detection line 13 has a function of detecting and outputting the capacitance around it.
As shown in the figure, when the window glass 33 is completely closed,
The door frame 31 is installed along the periphery of the door frame 31 except for the lower end thereof at a portion on the vehicle interior side of the door frame 31 with which the door frame 3 contacts. Specifically, the capacitance detection line 13 is
It is configured to be provided so as to be included in a rubber weather strip 35 provided along the door frame 31 and having a function of maintaining the vehicle interior in a watertight and airtight state. In general, the change with time of the capacitance detected and output by the capacitance detection line 13 is caused by the relative movement of the capacitance detection line 13 in a strong electric field. Taking a certain human body as an example, it has been verified that a more remarkable change is seen when the human body is directly exposed to the capacitance detection line 13 without wearing clothes or the like.

The oscillating circuit 15 to which the capacitance detecting line 13 is electrically connected has a function of oscillating and outputting a frequency signal corresponding to an oscillating output of the capacitance detecting line 13 according to a change with time of the capacitance. ing.

The LPF 17 to which the oscillation circuit 15 is connected is
It has a function of converting and outputting an AC voltage signal exhibiting a peak value change according to the oscillation frequency.

The detection circuit 19 to which the LPF 17 is connected is
It has a function of detecting and outputting a signal related to a change with time in capacitance from the AC voltage signal converted and output by the LPF 17.

Amplifying circuit 21 to which detection circuit 19 is connected
Has a function of amplifying and outputting the AC voltage signal detected and output by the detection circuit 19 at a predetermined amplification factor. The center value of the AC voltage signal amplified and output by the amplifier circuit 21 is, for example, + when the capacitance detection line 13 approaches the door frame 31 due to the object X being pinched.
When the pinch detection sensor 13 moves away from the door frame 31 while swinging to the side, it swings to the-side, but converges to the ground potential with a preset time constant. Therefore, for example, even when foreign matter such as dust, rain, snow, or the like adheres to the capacitance detection line 13, the capacitance changes with time every time the object X is pinched. Amplifier circuit 21
Is configured to input this value to a comparator or the like (not shown) and output a result of comparison with a reference threshold value to the control microcomputer 23.

In response to the comparison result, the control microcomputer 23
When the comparison result of the comparator changes with time due to the closing operation of the window glass 33, it is considered that the object X has been pinched, and a determination is made that the object X has been pinched. It is configured as follows.

Here, the object X in the control microcomputer 23 is
The principle of discriminating the presence or absence of a pinch will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the object X is sandwiched in between, first, the object X is pressed toward the weather strip 35 along with the closing operation of the window glass 33, whereby the flexible weather strip 35 changes its shape. Deforms according to the pressing force. At this time, the distance d2 between the capacitance detection line 13 and the door frame 31 at the time of pressing is reduced as compared with the normal state where the object X is not pinched. The detection output 13 changes greatly compared to the normal state. Supplementally, since the door frame 31 constitutes a part of the vehicle body using a metal material, and the vehicle body is always maintained at the ground potential, the capacitance detection line 13 as the detection electrode is used as the ground electrode. Approaching the door frame 31 causes a large change in capacitance with time, which is output from the oscillation circuit 15 in the form of a large frequency change. The control microcomputer 23 detects the change with time of the capacitance and determines that the object X is sandwiched between the window glass 33 and the door frame 31.

It should be noted that the control microcomputer 23 includes an amplifying circuit 21
Is configured to determine whether or not the object X is pinched by the closing operation of the window glass 33 on the basis of the AC voltage signal amplified by the above. When the signal is converted to a DC voltage, if an offset occurs in the detection output due to the influence of a disturbance such as dust, rain, or snow adhering to the capacitance detection line 13, even if the object is not pinched, Regardless, there is a risk of erroneous detection that it is assumed that an object has been pinched, but with the configuration described above, even if an offset occurs in the detection output due to the influence of the disturbance, As a result of being able to easily detect a change in capacitance based on the state including the influence, the pinching of the object X that may occur due to the closing operation of the window glass 33,
It is possible to avoid with high accuracy without being affected by disturbance.

The motor drive circuit 25 is configured to perform drive control for stopping or lowering the power window drive motor 27 in accordance with the result of the pinch determination from the control microcomputer 23.

It is to be noted that, instead of the configuration of the opening / closing drive control device 11 described above, as shown in FIG.
And an open / close drive control device 11 including an oscillation circuit 15, a control microcomputer 23 that integrates the functions of an LPF, a detection circuit, an amplification circuit, and a motor drive circuit that controls the drive of the motor 27. You can also. The control microcomputer 23 configured as described above measures a change in the oscillation frequency in the oscillation circuit 15 by exerting a timer function, and determines whether or not an object is pinched based on the measurement result. With this configuration, the number of components of the opening / closing drive control device 11 can be reduced,
An inexpensive opening / closing drive control device can be provided at a low cost.

Next, the schematic operation of the control microcomputer 23 constituting the main part of the opening / closing drive control device 11 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S1, the control microcomputer 23
Determines whether the motor 27 is driven in the normal rotation direction in which the window glass 33 is closed.

As a result of the determination in step S1, when the control microcomputer 23 determines that the motor 27 is driven in the reverse direction or maintains the stopped state, the control microcomputer 23 executes the processing flow of one cycle. On the other hand, when it is determined that the motor 27 is driven in the normal rotation direction, the process proceeds to the process of step S2.

In step S2, the control microcomputer 23
Performs the presence / absence determination as to whether or not the object X has been caught based on the capacitance detection output of the caught detection sensor 13.

When the control microcomputer 23 determines that the object X has not been pinched as a result of the pinch determination in step S2, the control microcomputer 23 returns the processing flow to step S1 and repeatedly executes the following processing. While
When it is determined that the object X has been pinched, the flow proceeds to the processing flow of step S3.

In step S3, the control microcomputer 23
Sends a command to the motor drive circuit 25 to stop driving the motor 27, whereby the motor 27 stops driving.

In step S4, the control microcomputer 23 instructs the motor drive circuit 25 to drive the motor 27 in the reverse direction, whereby the motor 27 is driven in the reverse direction, and the object existing between the window glass 33 and the door frame 31 is moved. The constraint of X can be avoided.

Here, comparing the above-described prior art with the above-described configuration technology, in the prior art, it is determined whether or not an object is present in proximity using a capacitance type proximity switch. In addition, there is a possibility that the window glass 33 may be erroneously detected as an object to be detected, and it is necessary to separately provide a limit switch in order to eliminate the erroneous detection. Since it is considered that the object is pinched when the object is about to be pinched, there is no need to separately provide a limit switch as in the above-described conventional technology, and the object is pinched with a simple and inexpensive configuration as compared with the conventional technology. Detection can be realized.

In the prior art, for example, when the occupant's finger wearing clothes or the like is pinched between the door frame and the window glass, the pinch may not be detected. However, according to the configuration technology described above,
Since it is considered that the object is being pinched when the object is about to be pinched, the pinching of the object can be avoided with high accuracy without depending on the state on the object side.

As described above, a change in the capacitance between the door frame 31 as the ground electrode and the capacitance detection line 13 as the detection electrode is regarded as a change in the relative positional relationship between the two. In the pinch detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of pinching of an object, the pinching of the object occurs because the absorbent material such as the weather strip 35 is interposed between the ground electrode and the detection electrode, which are components of the detection sensor. In the case where the distance between the ground electrode and the detection electrode is difficult to approach,
As a result of the tendency of catching the change in capacitance and regarding that the object has been pinched, there is an inherent problem that the responsiveness of the object pinch detection tends to be impaired.

Therefore, in the capacitance type sandwiching detection sensor according to the present invention, the absorbing material interposed between the ground electrode and the detecting electrode is eliminated, and the two electrodes are made hollow, so that the object is sandwiched. Occurs, the relative distance between the two electrodes is easily approached without any physical hindrance, and therefore a relatively large change in capacitance occurs even when a slight external pressing force is applied. As a result of catching this change in the capacitance and deeming that the object has been pinched, the responsiveness of the object pinch detection can be improved.

The capacitance-type sandwich detection sensor structure according to the present invention has a structure in which the ground electrode and the detection electrode are formed as independent members from the viewpoint of mounting the ground electrode and the detection electrode to the outer member. The first embodiment is attached to a member, and the second embodiment attaches both electrodes integrally to an exterior member. In the following description, when the term “both electrodes” is used without any particular description, it indicates both the ground electrode and the detection electrode. Also, regarding the physical positional relationship between the two electrodes attached to the exterior member, the vehicle body side as a ground electrode,
The description will proceed with an example in which the other is configured as a detection electrode. However, it goes without saying that the scope of the present invention is not limited to this physical positional relationship, but extends to a configuration in which the vehicle body side is configured as a detection electrode and the other is configured as a ground electrode.

First, as shown in FIG. 1A, the basic structure of the capacitance-type sandwich detection sensor according to the first embodiment is made of a flexible material such as a resin material or a rubber material. Each of the band-shaped electrodes 5 and 7 whose periphery is covered with a coating material 3 such as rubber having both flexibility and electrical insulation properties is provided on the inner surface of the hollow exterior member 1. While maintaining a hollow state by being separated by a predetermined distance, they are provided by being adhered or the like so as to have a positional relationship of correctly facing each other.

According to the capacitance type pinch detection sensor according to the first embodiment having such a basic structure, FIG.
As shown in (b), when the object X is pinched, the relative distance between the two electrodes is easily approached without any physical obstacle, and when a slight external pressing force is applied. Also causes a relatively large change in the capacitance, and as a result of catching this change in the capacitance and deeming that the object has been pinched, the responsiveness relating to the detection of the pinching of the object can be improved.

Next, with respect to a plurality of modified examples of the capacitance type sandwiching detection sensor structure according to the first embodiment, focusing on the differences from the above-described basic structure, referring to FIGS. explain.

The first modified example shown in FIG.
In each of the side walls bridging the bonding portions of the electrodes 5 and 7 in the above, a U-shaped portion 9 is formed, and a cutout portion 4 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed in a part of the periphery of the exterior member 1.
1 is provided. As a result, when the object X is pinched, the responsiveness relating to the detection of the pinching of the object is further improved as a result of promoting the accessibility of the relative distance between the two electrodes due to the action of the U-shaped portion 9. Can be. In addition, as a result that the exterior member 1 is opened in the cutout portion 41 and the electrodes 5 and 7 can be easily attached, the workability of attaching the electrodes 5 and 7 can be improved.

In the second modification shown in FIG. 3, the exterior member 1 has a lower portion 1a having a flat cross section.
And an upper portion 1b whose cross section is formed in a U-shape opening downward so as to cover the lower portion 1a. As a result, by separating and opening the exterior member 1 at its joint surface, the electrodes 5 and 7 can be easily attached. As a result, the workability of attaching the electrodes 5 and 7 can be improved.

Further, in the third modified example shown in FIG. 4A, the exterior member 1 is
The two electrodes 5, 7 can be mounted while maintaining a predetermined positional relationship in the longitudinal direction. This support member 4
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a pair of groove-shaped accommodation portions 45 for fitting and accommodating the terminal portions of the electrodes 5 and 7 and a cylindrical shape provided between the adjacent groove-shaped accommodation portions 45 are provided. Support part 4
And both electrodes 5 and 7 are configured such that a predetermined positional relationship is maintained by a physical interaction between the pair of groove-shaped accommodation portions 45 and the cylindrical support portions 47. ing. The cylindrical support portion 47 provided on each of the pair of support members 43 has the same diameter of the cylindrical portion, so that the two electrodes 5 and 7 are positioned in parallel with each other. Plays a role in managing.

When attaching the two electrodes 5 and 7 to the exterior member 1, first, each of the two electrodes 5 and 7 is fitted and attached to the pair of support members 43, and the two electrodes 5 and 7 maintaining the attached state are mounted. Into the hollow portion of the exterior member 1 to be inserted. Thereby, both electrodes 5, 7
Can be easily attached to the exterior member 1 while maintaining a predetermined positional relationship.
7 can be further improved in workability.

According to the pinch detection sensor according to the third modification, as shown in FIG. 4B, since the cylindrical support portion 47 supports the two electrodes 5 and 7 in line contact, this support portion , The bending resistance of the two electrodes 5 and 7 in the pressing direction is sufficiently suppressed, so that when the object X is pinched, the relative distance between the two electrodes is Approaching very smoothly without physical obstacles, causing a relatively large change in capacitance even when a slight external pressing force acts, and catching this change in capacitance and deeming that an object has been pinched As a result, it is possible to further improve the responsiveness relating to the detection of the object being pinched.

Here, as a material of the two electrodes 5 and 7 in the above-described embodiment, for example, an appropriate conductor such as FFC, FPC, or a metal foil such as copper can be adopted. As shown in FIG. 7, electric wires such as a stranded wire and a single-core wire can be appropriately used as a material of the two electrodes 5 and 7.
As the number of electric wires, one or a plurality of electric wires can be selectively used as appropriate. When one or a plurality of electric wires are used as the electrodes 5 and 7, the electric wires belonging to each of the electrodes 5 and 7 are bundled in parallel and integrally using the covering material 3, and at this time, For example, as shown in FIG. 7, each of the electrodes 5 and 7 has an appearance of a wavy projecting shape in which semi-circular shapes are continuously arranged according to the number of wires and the outer diameter shape of the same group. Become.

Further, in the fourth modification shown in FIG. 9, instead of using a pair of support members 43 which are separate members from the exterior member 1, the two electrodes 5 and 7 are provided on the inner side wall of the exterior member 1. The gripping structure is integrally formed, and the outer electrode 1 and the two electrodes 5,
7 is configured to be attachable while maintaining a predetermined positional relationship across the longitudinal direction. In addition, each of the side walls bridging between the gripping structures of the electrodes 5 and 7 in the exterior member 1 promotes the collapse of the pinch detection sensor,
A thin portion 51 is provided to promote the resilience after crushing. In the fourth modification, both electrodes 5 and 7 are
An electric wire group obtained by bundling a plurality of electric wires such as three in parallel is a covering material 3
The following description is based on the premise that an electrode form integrally formed using the above method is used.

The grip structure of the electrodes 5 and 7 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the gripping portion 50 is formed integrally with the inside of the four corners of the substantially rectangular exterior member 1 and grips the terminal portions of the electrodes 5 and 7 with an extra space 49 between the inner wall and the inner wall. Each of the electrodes 5 and 7 is configured such that a predetermined positional relationship is maintained by the electrode gripping function of the gripping portion 50. In addition, each of the grip portions 50 is formed at a position on the hollow inner side wall of the exterior member 1 where the figure at the time of connecting the grip positions is a square, and thereby each of the electrodes 5 and 7 is It plays a role in managing the positions parallel to each other.

According to the entrapment detection sensor according to the fourth modification, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the object X is entrapped, the thin portion 51 plays a role of promoting the crushing, so that the distance between the two electrodes is increased. Are easily approached without any physical hindrance, and each of the electrodes 5 and 7 comes into contact at the apex of its own coating material 3. At this time, for example, even when the change in the capacitance is ambiguous and it cannot be considered that the object has been pinched, when the external pressing force is further applied, as shown in FIG. Since the covering material 3 of the two electrodes 5 and 7 meshes with each other by the deformation promoting effect of 49 to further reduce the relative distance between the two electrodes, the change in capacitance at this time is captured and the object is pinched. As a result, it is possible to improve the certainty relating to the detection of the pinching of the object.

As a further modification, as shown in FIG. 11, a tapered portion 53 can be formed in the exterior member 1 in the vicinity of a portion where an external pressing force acts. In this way, when an external pressing force acts from an oblique direction, as shown in FIG. 10B, the coating materials 3 of the two electrodes 5 and 7 smoothly mesh with each other. As a result of catching the change in capacitance at this time and assuming that the object is pinched, it is possible to contribute to an improvement in the responsiveness of the object pinch detection.

As a further modified example, as shown in FIG. 12, the number of electric wires belonging to each of the electrodes 5 and 7 is set such that one is an even number and the other is an odd number. If one peak is fitted to the other valley when it acts, the covering material 3 of the two electrodes 5 and 7 will be in a state of meshing smoothly with each other, and the capacitance at this time As a result of catching the change and deeming that the object is pinched, it is possible to contribute to improvement of the responsiveness related to the detection of the pinching of the object.

Here, when the pinch detection sensors according to the third and fourth modifications are arranged along a bent portion such as a corner of a window frame of a vehicle, as shown in FIG. Although the inner and outer diameter differences of the electrode length are generated, in the third and fourth modifications, each of the electrodes 5 and 7 is replaced with an outer member instead of being attached to the inner side wall of the outer member 1. Since the configuration in which the electrodes 1 and 2 are mounted is adopted, the electrodes 5 and 7 can be freely moved in the longitudinal direction, and the difference in inner and outer diameters at the bent portion can be easily absorbed. From this point of view, it can be said that the workability of attaching the two electrodes 5 and 7 can be further improved.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13A, the basic structure of the capacitance-type sandwich detection sensor according to the second embodiment is a resin material or a rubber material having both flexibility and electrical insulation. In the hollow exterior member 1 made of the above material, on each of the surface receiving the external pressing force and the opposing surface thereof, a belt-like material made of a suitable conductor such as a metal foil such as FFC, FPC, or copper is used. Each of the two electrodes 5, 7 is integrally formed by being included so as to have a positional relationship of correctly facing each other while maintaining a hollow state by separating the two electrodes 5, 7 from each other by a predetermined distance. I have. Note that FIG.
In (a), the fact that the exterior member 1 is configured to be divisible is not included in the basic structure described above, and will be described later.

According to the capacitance type pinch detection sensor according to the second embodiment having such a basic structure, FIG.
As shown in (b), when the object X is pinched, the relative distance between the two electrodes is easily approached without any physical obstacle, and when a slight external pressing force is applied. Also causes a relatively large change in the capacitance, and as a result of catching this change in the capacitance and deeming that the object has been pinched, the responsiveness relating to the detection of the pinching of the object can be improved.

Next, with respect to a plurality of modified examples of the capacitance type sandwiching detection sensor structure according to the second embodiment, focusing on the differences from the basic structure described above, referring to FIGS. explain.

In the fifth modification shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 14, the exterior member 1 has an upper portion 1a having a substantially U-shaped cross section and a substantially upwardly open cross section. A lower portion 1b formed in a U-shape is engaged and mounted in the middle. In addition, each of the upper part 1a and the lower part 1b is, as shown in FIG.
1b, the cylindrical engaging portions 55a, 55b protruding from one of the outer walls, and the cylindrical engaging portions 55a, 55b provided on the other inner wall of the portions 1a, 1b, respectively. Cylindrical housing portions 57a and 57b for housing;
And each of the portions 1a, 1b is provided with a cylindrical engagement portion 55a, 55b with respect to the cylindrical accommodation portion 57a, 57b.
Are fitted and housed, and a predetermined positional relationship is maintained by a physical mutual engagement action.

When assembling the parts 1a and 1b integrally including the electrodes 5 and 7, respectively, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, first, after the cylindrical engagement portion 55 is fitted and accommodated in one cylindrical accommodation portion 57, the cylindrical engagement portion 55 is fitted and accommodated in the other cylindrical accommodation portion 57. To keep going. As a result, the parts 1a, 1b integrally formed with the electrodes 5, 7 can be easily assembled with each other while the electrodes 5, 7 maintain a predetermined positional relationship. 1b can be improved in operability.

The reason why the cross-sectional shape of the engaging portion 55 is circular is that, when the object X is pinched, as shown in FIG. It is intended to sufficiently suppress the bending resistance of the lower portion 1b from the rotating shaft support effect generated by the interlocking action with the housing portion 57, and when the object X is pinched, the electrode The lower part 1b integrally formed with the electrode 7 approaches the upper part 1a integrally formed with the electrode 5 very smoothly without any physical obstruction, so that even when a slight external pressing force is applied, the lower part 1b is comparatively smooth. As a result of causing a large change in the capacitance and catching the change in the capacitance and deeming that the object has been pinched, the responsiveness of the detection of the pinching of the object can be further improved.

In the sixth modified example shown in FIG. 15A, the key-shaped accommodation portion 60 is replaced with an engagement mode in which the cylindrical engagement portion 55 is fitted and accommodated in the cylindrical accommodation portion 57. The wedge-shaped engaging portion 59 is fitted into the hook-shaped receiving portion 60 and the wedge-shaped engaging portion 59 is received in the hook-shaped receiving portion 60. It is configured such that a predetermined positional relationship is maintained by a physical mutual engagement action.

When assembling the parts 1a and 1b constructed as described above, first, as shown in FIG.
After fitting and housing 9, the wedge-shaped engaging portion 59 is fitted and housed in the other key-shaped housing portion 60. As a result, the respective parts 1a and 1b in which the respective electrodes 5 and 7 are integrally formed can be easily assembled with each other while the electrodes 5 and 7 maintain a predetermined positional relationship.
The workability of assembling the parts 1a and 1b can be improved.

Further, a seventh modification shown in FIG. 16A employs electric wires such as stranded wires and single-core wires instead of the flat plate electrodes as the band-shaped electrodes 5 and 7. The engagement mode in which the cylindrical engagement portion 55 is fitted and accommodated in the shape accommodation portion 57 is the same as that in the example of FIGS. 13 and 14, and the duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

Here, when the pinch detection sensors according to the fifth to seventh modifications are arranged along a bent portion such as a corner of a window frame of a vehicle, FIG. 8 referred to in the first embodiment will be described. As shown in the drawing, an inner / outer diameter difference is inevitably generated between the upper portion 1a and the lower portion 1b. In the fifth to seventh modified examples, both the electrodes 5 and 7 are integrally formed by being included. Since the upper part 1a and the lower part 1b are engaged and mounted and assembled to form the exterior member 1, the two parts 1a,
1b can be freely moved in the longitudinal direction, and it can be said that it contributes to the improvement of the assembling workability of both portions 1a and 1b.

Finally, the mounting configuration of the pinch detection sensor according to the above-described first and second embodiments will be described with reference to FIG.
Referring to FIGS. 3 to 25, the following three embodiments can be exemplified. 23 through 25.
23 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrow around the door frame shown in FIG. 22. In FIGS. 23 to 25, reference numeral 31 denotes a door frame, reference numeral 33 denotes a window glass, reference numeral 35 denotes a weather strip functioning as an exterior member, and reference numeral 61 Denotes a glass run that functions as an exterior member, reference numeral 63 denotes a door-side seal member, and reference numeral 65 denotes a body-side seal member.

That is, first, as shown in FIG.
A form in which the pinch detection sensor S is adhered along the door frame 31. Secondly, as shown in FIG. 24, the pinch detection sensor S is provided with a glass run 61 functioning as an exterior member.
25, and thirdly, as shown in FIG. 25, a configuration in which the sandwiching detection sensor S is mounted on the weather strip 35 functioning as an exterior member.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be embodied in a properly modified form within the scope of the claims.

That is, for example, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the pinch detection sensor having the characteristic structure according to the present invention is provided along the window frame of the vehicle. Without being limited to only this form,
For example, it can be applied to sunroof glass of vehicles,
Further, the present invention can be applied to any type of opening / closing drive control device configured to perform opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member using a driving unit, other than the vehicle.

Further, in the present embodiment, the form in which the window glass opens and closes with respect to the window frame of the vehicle has been described as an example, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to this form.
For example, in a hard-top type vehicle, a form in which a window glass opens and closes with respect to a vehicle body side is adopted, but it goes without saying that the scope of the present invention includes this form.

[0082]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the object which may be generated due to the closing operation of the opening / closing member can be easily and inexpensively arranged on the object side. In addition to being able to avoid with high accuracy without depending on the object, if the object is pinched, the relative distance between the two electrodes is easily approached without any physical obstacle, Even when a pressing force is applied, a relatively large change in capacitance occurs, and as a result of catching this change in capacitance and assuming that an object is pinched,
It is possible to improve the responsiveness relating to the detection of entrapment of an object.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, both electrodes can be attached to the exterior member with the support member interposed therebetween while maintaining a predetermined positional relationship in the longitudinal direction. In addition to being able to further improve the mounting workability, the two electrodes are freely movable in the longitudinal direction and can easily absorb the difference in inner and outer diameters at the bent portions. From this point of view, it can be said that the workability of attaching both electrodes can be further improved.

Further, according to the third aspect of the invention, as in the second aspect, the workability of mounting both electrodes can be further improved, and the number of assembly steps associated with the reduction in the number of members can be reduced. , And a cost reduction effect can be expected.

On the other hand, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the pinching of an object which may be caused by the closing operation of the opening / closing member can be performed with high accuracy without depending on the state of the object by using a simple and inexpensive structure. In addition to being avoidable, if the object is pinched, the relative distance between the two electrodes is easily approached without any physical hindrance, and when a slight external pressing force is applied. Even when a relatively large change in the capacitance is generated and the change in the capacitance is captured and regarded as having caused the object to be caught, an extremely excellent effect that the responsiveness related to the detection of the object being caught can be improved. Play.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are views for explaining a basic structure of a capacitance type sandwiching detection sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram provided for explanation of a first modified example belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a second modification belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a third modification belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a third modification belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram provided for explanation of a third modification belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a further modification of the third modification belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram provided for explanation of third to fourth modified examples belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a fourth modification belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the operation of a fourth modified example belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram provided for explanation of a further modification of the fourth modification belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram provided for explanation of a further modification of the fourth modification belonging to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 13 (a) and (b) show the basic structure of a capacitance type pinch detection sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 16 is a diagram for describing a fifth modification belonging to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an assembling process of a fifth modification belonging to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views for explaining a sixth modification belonging to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are views for explaining a seventh modified example belonging to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a functional block configuration diagram of an opening / closing drive control device using a pinch detection sensor having a characteristic structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic operation of a main part in the opening / closing drive control device.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing, in chronological order, a positional relationship between a window frame, a weather strip including electrodes, and a window glass.

FIG. 20 is a time-series diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a window frame, a weather strip including electrodes, and a window glass.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship of a window frame, a weather strip including electrodes therein, and a window glass in chronological order.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining an arrangement position of a pinch detection sensor with respect to a window frame;

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an attachment form of a pinch detection sensor in a vehicle.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an attachment form of a pinch detection sensor in a vehicle.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an attachment form of a pinch detection sensor in a vehicle.

FIG. 26 is a functional block configuration diagram showing a modification of the opening / closing drive control device using the pinch detection sensor having a characteristic structure according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Exterior member 3 Covering material 5 Ground electrode 7 Detecting electrode 9 Square-shaped part 11 Opening / closing drive control device 13 Entrapment detection sensor 15 Oscillation circuit 17 Low-pass filter 19 Detection circuit 21 Amplification circuit 23 Control microcomputer 25 Motor drive circuit 27 Motor 31 Door Frame 33 Window glass (opening / closing member) 35 Weather strip (exterior member) 41 Notch portion 43 Support member 45 Groove-shaped accommodation portion 47 Cylindrical support portion 49 Extra space 50 Gripping portion 51 Thin portion 53 Tapered portion 55 Cylindrical engagement portion 57 Cylindrical housing part 59 Wedge-shaped engaging part 60 Key-shaped housing part 61 Glass run 63 Door-side seal member 65 Body-side seal member S Entrapment detection sensor X Object

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Ika Ogasawara 1500 Onjuku, Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture F-term (reference) 2F063 AA02 BA11 BD15 CA40 DA01 DA04 DB04 DC08 DD02 HA01 LA05 LA06 LA11 ZA01 ZA06 3D127 AA02 AA19 BB01 CB05 CC05 DF04 DF34 DF35 FF06 FF08 FF11

Claims (8)

[Claims] An electrostatic capacitance type pinch detection sensor used in an opening / closing drive control device configured to perform an opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member by using a driving unit that drives the opening / closing member, A strip-shaped ground electrode and a detection electrode whose periphery is covered with a coating material having both flexibility and electrical insulation properties are provided on the inner surface of a hollow exterior member made of a material having a property between the two electrodes. Are provided so as to be in a positional relationship facing each other while maintaining a hollow state by being separated by a predetermined distance. 2. The capacitance-type sandwiching detection sensor structure according to claim 1, wherein both electrodes are maintained in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the exterior member with the support member interposed therebetween in the longitudinal direction. An electrostatic capacitance type pinch detection sensor structure characterized in that it is configured to be mounted by mounting. 3. The capacitance type sandwiching detection sensor structure according to claim 1, wherein the two electrodes are provided on an inner wall of the exterior member instead of using a support member that is a member separate from the exterior member. The gripping portion is integrally formed, and the two electrodes can be attached to the exterior member while maintaining the predetermined positional relationship in the longitudinal direction with the gripping portion interposed therebetween. Capacitance type pinch detection sensor structure. 4. A capacitance type sandwiching detection sensor used in an opening / closing drive control device configured to perform an opening / closing operation of an opening / closing member by using a driving unit that drives the opening / closing member, In a hollow exterior member made of a material having both electrical properties and electrical insulation properties, a band-shaped ground electrode and a detection electrode are provided on each of a surface receiving external pressing force and an opposing surface thereof, and a gap between the two electrodes is provided. An electrostatic capacitance type sandwiching detection sensor structure which is integrally formed by being enclosed so as to have a positional relationship facing each other while maintaining a hollow state by being separated by a predetermined distance. 5. The capacitance-type pinch detection sensor structure according to claim 4, wherein the exterior member is configured to be dividable into a plurality of portions, and when assembling the plurality of portions, An electrostatic capacitance type pinch detection sensor structure characterized by engaging and mounting the plurality of parts. 6. The capacitance-type sandwich detection sensor structure according to claim 1, wherein the exterior member including each of the ground electrode and the detection electrode is provided on a door frame of a vehicle. A capacitance type pinch detection sensor structure characterized by being adhered along. 7. The capacitance type sandwich detection sensor structure according to claim 1, wherein the exterior member including each of the ground electrode and the detection electrode is a glass run of a vehicle. An electrostatic capacitance type pinch detection sensor structure. 8. The capacitance-type sandwich detection sensor structure according to claim 1, wherein the exterior member including each of the ground electrode and the detection electrode is a weather strip of a vehicle. An electrostatic capacitance type pinch detection sensor structure.